NLIS 5
May 9, 2005
(Municipal and Provincial Affairs)
Communities across province celebrating Municipal Awareness Day
Municipal Awareness Day 2005 is being celebrated by municipal councils,
administrators and residents across the province today. Municipal Awareness Day
is an opportunity to recognize the work done by members of municipal councils
and municipal administrators across the province. While councils have organized
activities unique to their community, some activities include open houses, local
trivia, heavy equipment rodeos and displays. Call your municipal council to see
what activities are happening in your area.
"It is especially important that we recognize Municipal Awareness Day this year
because every municipality in this province will be involved in a general
election in September," said Jack Byrne, Minister of Municipal and Provincial
Affairs. "Municipal Awareness Day is an excellent opportunity to discover what
municipal councillors and administrators do on a daily basis. Not only should we
reflect on the work they do for us, we should consider how important they are in
ensuring our democratic society. As a former mayor of a small town, I know how
crucial it is to have representation on a local level. I encourage anyone
remotely interested to run for municipal politics and, in turn, I encourage all
residents to exercise their democratic right and vote on September 27."
"As a member of elected council, I believe it is very important for us to ensure
the public we serve are aware of the services we provide," says Deputy Mayor
Herbert Brett, president of the Newfoundland and Labrador Federation of
Municipalities (NLFM). "Municipal Awareness Day is a great platform for this.
Our municipal council delivers many of the programs and services that enrich our
community and our way of life, including snow clearing, street lighting, water
and sewer, fire protection and garbage collection. I�m now in my 29th year
serving on municipal councils, and every year is challenging, but the sense of
accomplishment at the end of the day keeps me going. It is very satisfying to
see the spirit of cooperation that exists within councils and among neighbouring
communities."
"Municipal Awareness Day is a day to recognize the many contributions of
municipal government," says Rodney Cumby, president of the Newfoundland and
Labrador Association of Municipal Administrators (NLAMA). "Administrators are
proud to be a part of the municipal team that serves your community and improves
your quality of life. This year's theme, Municipal Government - Strengthening
Our Community, is indeed appropriate as administrators work with council to
achieve this goal."
One provincial activity that has been organized to mark the day is a story
contest. Open to grade six students, the "Celebrate Municipal Government" story
contest is part of an ongoing effort to educate young people on municipal
governments and the many municipal programs and services that enrich the quality
of life of people throughout Newfoundland and Labrador. Seven winners will be
selected from across the province (one per NLFM region; Avalon, Central,
Eastern, Northern, Northwest, Southwest and St. John�s).
An exciting addition to this years celebrations is the Torngat Municipal
Achievement Award for Municipal Awareness, awarded to the municipality whose
Municipal Awareness Day celebrations are judged to be the best in the province.
This award recognizes those organizations or individuals that are helping to
raise public awareness of the important role played by municipal government and
municipal leaders.
Municipal Awareness Day is brought to you by the Newfoundland and Labrador
Federation of Municipalities (NLFM); Newfoundland and Labrador Association of
Municipal Administrators (NLAMA); the Government of Newfoundland and Labrador,
Department of Municipal and Provincial Affairs; and the Municipal Training and
Development Corporation.
The Newfoundland and Labrador Federation of Municipalities was formed in 1951 as
an umbrella organization mandated to represent municipal government interests,
and as a vehicle for municipal leaders to share information and resources. NLFM
represents the 284 cities and towns in Newfoundland and Labrador that service 85
per cent of the population, as well as their 2,000 plus leaders.
The Newfoundland and Labrador Association of Municipal Administrators (NLAMA)
was formed in 1972 to enhance and promote professional management and leadership
excellence in local government through education, the exchanging of ideas and
information. Their focus is on the professional development of administrators
through established professional standardized training, partnership, and
sharing.
The Municipal Training and Development Corporation (MTDC) was established in
November 1999. Its mandate is to work towards strong, effective and
self-sustaining municipal government provided by knowledgeable, competent,
elected officials and qualified professional staff.
Media contact:
Vanessa Colman-Sadd, Municipal and Provincial Affairs, (709) 729-1983, 682-6593
Ruth Marks, NLFM, (709) 576-5790 (w), (709) 728-3663 (cell)
2005 05 09 2:30 p.m.